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mule deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Description:

The Mule Deer, while closely related to the eastern species-the white-tailed deer, are remarkably distinct in their biological, ecological, and behavioral attributes. The Mule Deer carries its thin, black-tipped tail drooped, unlike the uplifted, bushy white tail of its cousin. They have a distinctly different gait from the leisurely, graceful leaps of the white-tail. When startled, a Mule Deer will move in a series of stiff-legged jumps with all four feet hitting the ground together. Mule Deer are usually a dark gray-brown, with a small white rump patch and a small, black-tipped tail. Their large ears are distinctive. White-tail deer are tan in color, with a larger tail. Mule Deer antlers are normally smaller and branch to form 2 equal forks, while the male White-tailed Deer has forward curving antlers with a number of points (tines) branching from the main beam.

Habitat:

Throughout the entire western United States, including the four deserts of the American Southwest

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9 Comments

CynthiaMHori
CynthiaMHori 12 years ago

Thanks p.young713! we were driving by after hiking a canyon and there they were.

p.young713
p.young713 12 years ago

This is so beautiful!! It looks like a photo on a magazine or in a museum!!

CynthiaMHori
CynthiaMHori 12 years ago

no snow in central Utah - behind the deer are some turkey "barns" - Norbest Turkey is in this area. The lack of snow is weird - and of course will cause a very dry summer.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 12 years ago

These run with all fours in the air! If you have lots of mule Deer try and see if you can capture it!

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 12 years ago

These are lovely.
Is that snow on the trees?

CynthiaMHori
CynthiaMHori 12 years ago

I love their ears!!

SarahWhitt
SarahWhitt 12 years ago

I love how they blend in to their surroundings!
Great camo!! :)

CynthiaMHori
CynthiaMHori 12 years ago

thanks!

Sachin Zaveri
Sachin Zaveri 12 years ago

Nice picture,

CynthiaMHori
Spotted by
CynthiaMHori

Utah, USA

Spotted on Jan 16, 2012
Submitted on Jan 16, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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